WHY DID JESUS WEEP?

“As they drew near, Jesus saw the city spread before him, the beloved city, and said, “If only you knew…” and wept.”  (Luke 19:41-42)

This would have been shocking for those around him. Jesus weeping? How could this be?  Jesus, the calm one, the controlled one was weeping. What better proof do we have of his humanity?  Jesus experienced something that every human does and beyond what it meant at the time, for us it meant we know he understands when we are brought to tears.

As he gazed upon the Holy City, the chances are he felt as though he had failed. When he preached in the countryside, he used parables and agricultural references but when he preached here his approach was quite different.  These listeners were the educated, the knowledgeable, the ones who knew the scriptures and so he laid out for them all the prophecies.  He showed them how it was that he had come to fulfill them and was doing so.  But they were afraid.  They said they wanted a Messiah but they wanted one on their own terms, one they could control.  Many knew in their hearts that he spoke the truth but they were terribly afraid of him.  He would, if allowed to continue, bring change.  They did not want change.  Of course, Jesus knew it and he knew that because they would not change they would continue on the path that would bring destruction to this chosen race.

He spoke from a broken heart when he said, “The days are coming when the enemy will build a palisade against you; they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides. They will smash you to the ground and they will not leave one stone upon another because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”  (Luke 19:43-44) 

The important question for us is, do we make Jesus weep? Are we complacent? Do we resist change? Do we cling to the past and fail to see that our faith must be allowed to grow with the times?  Do we fail to see that the faith Jesus entrusted to us is sufficient for the world in all times and in all circumstances?  Are we self-satisfied?  Do we ask God, “Why don’t you do something?”  But fail to hear his response, “Why don’t you”?

Listen to St. Paul as he addresses the Thessalonians:

Pray without ceasing, in all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.  Do not quench the spirit.  Do not despise prophetic utterances.  Test everything. Retain what is good.  (1 Thess. 5:17-21)

Blessings,

Carol Lemelin, OPA